Our Fabled Nest

Last weekend approached us way too fast! Just three short weeks ago we were visiting with my momma and grams. Plans were set to come back for their anniversary. We knew he wanted us to celebrate their anniversary and momma even though my daddy is no longer earthside.

Months ago, we were planning a huge trip to Nashville to celebrate forty beautiful years my parents were married. They knew each other since first grade and started dating in high school… it’s a beautiful love story and we knew we wanted to go big. We had several things booked; our cabins picked out – the whole shebang… my daddy was ridiculously excited. He even had a necklace picked out just for momma as a surprise. He was particular on this necklace but adamant that it needed to be ordered as soon as possible. That was purchased in March and being custom made it took to early May to arrive to my place. Well as things go, we realized he was sicker than we thought. Hubs and I made the trip down and for some reason I brought the necklace with me. After he told hubs about the cards, he asked me to get the necklace. My heart shattered – it was kind of a realization that he would be leaving us soon. The Nashville trip was canceled – it was/is too soon to be taking that big of a trip without his presence.

This post is dedicated to my lovely folks. A love story you would only see on Hallmark. The old fashion kind of love where love prevails, and folks took those vows a lot more serious. Through sickness and health where sickness seemed to surround my daddy. Tragic as it was my momma never gave up on him or their marriage. He was the extroverted goof ball. A class clown in his own league where his soul mission was to make you smile.

There are so many beautiful memories of my little family. From holidays to the mundane. Between him and momma, my brother and I were raised right (I think). They both had/have good values and a beautiful outlook on life. A simple life is no bad thing and I thank my lucky stars I learned that.

We decided to do a cookout with everyone to celebrate. A little something for everyone and the main attraction was my daddy’s famous “just like Wendy’s frosty” ice cream. Now my brother and I have never had the opportunity to make it. That was daddy’s job – he took pride in his beloved ice cream. We would stand on the side lines and pass the ice or rock salt but that was about the extent. We found his recipe back in May after his passing and realized dad hadn’t made the ice cream in over a decade (at least!). A few ingredients, no directions or times… just a scribble of what made the masterpiece. I told my brother sure I got this. All the while thinking how on earth am I gonna compete with the nostalgia of summer nights with my daddy at the helm creating something quite wonderful.

This weekend, we pulled out the ice cream maker hoping it would still be operating after being stored for so long. Turns out it works! I mixed together the ingredients – some I did replace since I have a gluten intolerance and try to avoid GMOs at all cost… other ingredients I couldn’t find a healthier replacement. At this point, that is a-okay in my books. As long as it is gluten and peanut free – let’s go!

A quick whisk of his ingredients, pour into the churner and I think we all held our breath hoping it would turn out delicious and make daddy proud. 40 minutes later, we opened it to reveal a very frosty lookin’ mixture…. hmmm it looks right. Sure enough, the sugary frosty chocolate that he was always so proud of was right in front of us.

This weekend was some kind of hard that I personally didn’t want to face. The “setting into reality” that he truly is no longer here really hits hard at their place. Spiritually, yes, I know he is watching over us but physically it isn’t the same. All we have now are precious memories. All of those beautiful little things, I am holding on to. I am holding each memory and retracing every little moment, so I don’t forget a single thing.

Cheers to our next adventure.